The Story Behind the Bill Green House Cup

At Graven Hill Primary and Preschool, our House Cup is more than a trophy. It represents community, pride, teamwork, and the belief that ordinary people can lead extraordinary lives through kindness, courage and service. For that reason, our annual House Cup is named in honour of William “Bill” Green—a man whose life embodied the very values we hope to nurture in our children.

Bill was born in 1930 and lived his whole life in the village of Eynsham. He grew up during a very different time, surrounded by family, gardens, community and hard work. Known to many simply as “Bill”, to others as “Dad”, “Grampy” or “Great‑Grampy”, he was a gentle, humble man with a generous spirit. His teachers once wrote that he had “a special aptitude for gardening”—a gift he carried for the rest of his life, sharing home‑grown fruit and vegetables with everyone he loved.

But Bill’s story is woven even more deeply into the identity of our school.

As a young man, he was called up for National Service and served at the Graven Hill Barracks—the very same site on which our school now stands. When Bill’s grandson became Headteacher of Graven Hill Primary and Preschool, he shared stories of his time guarding the barracks, including the night a prisoner escaped and Bill set off—with a small team and a “borrowed” truck—to bring him safely back. His service at Graven Hill is now marked by a tree planted in our grounds: a living symbol of his dedication, courage and connection to this place.

Throughout his life, Bill was known for his kindness, calmness and steadfast love for his family. He was a husband of 66 years, a devoted father, a proud grandfather and great‑grandfather, and a loyal friend. He lived simply, loved deeply, and gave generously. Whether he was tending his garden, playing snooker, delivering lemonade across Oxfordshire, or laughing with his family on the beach in Cornwall, Bill lived a life full of joy, integrity and gentle strength.

These are the values we celebrate through the Bill Green House Cup.

• Kindness – treating others with warmth and generosity
• Courage – doing the right thing, even when it’s not easy
• Service – contributing to your community
• Family – lifting each other up
• Pride and belonging – knowing you are part of something bigger

Each year, children across our five Houses earn points through teamwork, effort, sportsmanship and living out our school values. At the end of the year, the House with the highest total is awarded the Bill Green House Cup, a reminder that greatness is not about being famous or flawless—it’s about being steady, kind and true.

Bill was described simply as a hero:
“There goes my hero… He’s ordinary.”
But like so many quiet heroes, the impact he left behind was anything but ordinary.

By naming our House Cup after him, we honour not only Bill himself, but all those everyday heroes—past and present—who show our children what it means to live a good and meaningful life.

Bill’s legacy lives on in our school, in our community, and in every child who works hard, shows kindness, supports their House, and strives to be the best they can be.

A long life, well lived.
A legacy that inspires.
The heart behind our House Cup.